The Good, The Bad and The Scheibs... Awards Special
MVP: Tanner McGrew (South West Metro)
McGrew is the real deal and was the Pirates best player averaged a double double every game. Averaged 21 points, 15 boards, 3 assists and shot at 50% and lead his team to a huge turnaround from last season to beat playoff teams BBI, Townsville and Logan. He made them legit and his production was consistent every night. Big tick for all the off court stuff too.
Coach of the year: Rodney Anderson (Townsville)
Tight one between Cairns Jamie Pearlman and Townsville’s Rodney Anderson. I think the fact that Anderson beat everyone in the North and finished as minor premiers gives him the nod. He did it with defence and a team structure. Losing to only Cairns in the North Conference in the regular season on home and away basis is a tremendous achievement. The leading South candidates get to pad their records playing woeful teams, the north have none of these.
Sixth man of the year: Drew Philips-Anthony Kopcikas (Brisbane)
Now probably neither one of these guys deserve it on their own, but together these two have been outstanding for Brisbane this season. Both would be starters on any other South team and most of the north sides too. Together they make Brisbane very deep, diverse and talented and are easily the best bench combo in the league.
Most Improved Player: James Mitchell (Cairns)
Mitchell is a good player and has been for a few seasons. However this season he has matured and elevated his game both on the court and in the leadership role. He’s their glue guy and I doubt they would be in the GF and riding a 7 game winning streak without him. Honourable mention to Gladstone’s Jake Allen who started the season on an absolute tear and a quite back end of the season probably denied him this award.
Best Defensive player: Dusty Rychart (Brisbane)
As a one on one defender Dusty is a Wiley veteran who is more than capable of stopping the league’s best big men. But when you throw in the fact that he basically has to defend both the oppositions four and five because of Brisbane’s’ total lack of a four man, his efforts are even more impressive.
Youth Player of the Year: Anthony Fisher (Cairns Marlins)
Fisher is a former Australian junior rep from Victoria and he has a lot of nice aspects to his game. For mine he is one of the hidden gems of the Marlins, and the southerner fans should keep a close eye on this guy in the GF series, he has game.
All-star Ten:
My all-stars only come from playoff teams, hey it’s my list. I had Justin Baker in my top ten, but he let the league’s most one dimensional player shoot 3-3 from the 3 point line in that crucial first quarter in their semi-final loss to BBI! That effort sees him tumble out, shame JB shame…..
Tanner McGrew SWM
Mitch Young Logan
Dusty Rychart BBI
Peter Crawford Tville
Chris Cedar McKay
Aaron Anderson BBI
Damon Heuir Cairns
Cameron Traghard Cairns
Michael Cedar Logan
Brendan Teys SWM
Disclaimer: This article was prepared or accomplished by Rob Scheibner in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not reflect the views of the Basketball Expressions.
